Paedophile ring who live-streamed child rape are jailed for more than 100 years

The seven men sentenced to 107 years for 30 child sex offences at Bristol Crown Court

A paedophile ring who live-streamed children being raped have been jailed for a total of 107 years.

The group of seven men used social media and legitimate internet conferencing facilities to share images and live-streamed video of the horrific sex crimes.

The gang, convicted of 30 child sexual abuse offences including conspiracy to rape and the rape of a child under the age of 13, have been jailed today at Bristol Crown Court.

Handing down the sentences, His Honour Judge Lambert described the men as "evil beyond rational understanding", saying they engaged in "some of the most depraved and grossly deviant behaviour imaginable".

The men, including a married father of two and three registered sex offenders, were convicted in April following a complex investigation led by the National Crime Agency.

Some of the most depraved and grossly deviant behaviour imaginable

Judge Lambert

John Denham, formally known as Benjamin Harrop, 49, from Wiltshire, Matthew Stansfield, 34, from Hampshire, Adam Toms, 33, from Somerset, Christopher Knight, 35 from Manchester, Robin Hollyson, 30 from Bedfordshire, David Harsley, 51, from Hull and Matthew Lisk, 32, from East Sussex shared indecent images and videos of children being abused, communicating via social networking forums.

The group’s victims were mainly babies and infants, with at least one victim given stupefying drugs to enable offenders to carry out sexual abuse.

The sick group even offered advice and guidance to others regarding how much drug to administer to a child, depending on their age.

Most of the group’s planning and communication took place online, but when access to children was guaranteed the group would arrange to meet up in person - often travelling long distances, and if only one member had access to a victim, the abuse would be live-streamed to the others.

The group were caught after Adam Toms was arrested by Avon and Somerset police in September 2014, when he admitted that he had sexually abused a child under the age of five.

As a result of his admissions, the investigation was launched, and the other offenders in the organised crime group were identified.

Officers were also able to identify and safeguard three victims – a baby, a toddler and a pre-school age child – but detectives believe there may be more who have yet to be identified, as well as children who may have been abused and have never told anyone.

Speaking after the sentencing, one of the victim’s families said: “No family ever wants to find that their child has been the victim of abuse, nor would they ever knowingly put their child at risk.

“As a family we now need to mend - seeing the perpetrators being brought to justice is the first step."

Graham Gardner, deputy director of investigations at the National Crime Agency, added: “Today’s sentences highlight the depravity of these men – a depth of depravity that thankfully we rarely see.

“These offenders demonstrated a determined ruthlessness to identify vulnerable babies and infants who were unable to protect themselves. Their callousness beggars belief.

“This national investigation has now moved to an international one and the NCA will continue to work with our partners, at home and abroad, to ensure those who abuse children are brought to justice”.